Subdomain
A subdomain is a part of a larger domain, often used to organize or separate different sections of a website. It’s added before the main domain name, creating a distinct URL. For example, in blog.example.com, "blog" is the subdomain, and "example.com" is the main domain.
Subdomains are often used to create specialized sections of a website, such as a blog, store, or forum, while still being a part of the primary domain.
Why subdomains are useful
- Organization: Subdomains allow you to separate different sections of your website, such as a blog, shop, or support page.
- Target different audiences: Subdomains can be used to target different languages or regions by creating region-specific URLs (e.g., us.example.com for the U.S. or fr.example.com for France).
- Improve SEO: Using subdomains can help target niche topics and allow search engines to index content separately.
- Easier navigation: Subdomains can improve user navigation by making the structure of the website more logical and straightforward.
Example of a subdomain
Consider a website like store.example.com, where "store" is a subdomain that might point to an online store, while example.com is the primary website. You can also see subdomains in action when companies create separate sections like:
- blog.example.com (for a blog)
- support.example.com (for a support page)
- shop.example.com (for an e-commerce store)
Subdomains vs. Subdirectories
| Feature | Subdomains | Subdirectories |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Separate section of a site | Part of the main website URL |
| SEO impact | Treated as separate sites | SEO value is shared with the main domain |
| Example | blog.example.com | example.com/blog |
| Use cases | Different regions, services, or platforms | Blog, news, or additional pages |
How to create a subdomain
- Access your domain registrar: Log into the platform where you purchased your domain (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
- Go to DNS settings: Find the section for DNS management or DNS settings.
- Create a new record: Add a new CNAME or A record to create your subdomain, specifying the subdomain name and pointing it to the appropriate directory or server.
- Set up hosting: Ensure that your subdomain is properly configured to host content or services, such as a WordPress blog, e-commerce platform, or forum.
Best practices for subdomains
- Keep it relevant: Ensure that the subdomain name reflects the content or service it provides. For example, use store.example.com for an e-commerce site, not product.example.com.
- Limit the number of subdomains: Too many subdomains can make managing your website difficult and may impact SEO performance. Use them strategically.
- Focus on SEO: Each subdomain should be properly optimized for search engines, as they are treated as separate sites.
In summary, a subdomain is a way to organize different sections of your website under the same domain. By using subdomains, you can improve navigation, target different regions or services, and enhance SEO efforts. Proper management and optimization of subdomains are important for keeping your site organized and maximizing its potential.